My colonial silver collection - all in one BIG pic

[Bill D. (VA)]

I've had many requests this year to post a group shot showing all the colonial silver coins I've dug to date. Things started slowly after I dug my first one more than 15 years ago, but as I improved my research techniques and started getting into some early and untouched sites my finds began to increase. It took about 12 years to get to that magic 100 mark which I hit 3 years ago. Since then I dug 10 during the 2010-11 season, 15 more the following year, and an astounding 24 this past winter bringing the total to 149. It was difficult putting this pic together as I had these coins spread out in numerous displays, and had to take a lot of photos beforehand so I'd be able to put everything back in its proper place when I'm done with the group shots. It's still going to be a tough job with all those cut pieces that look very similar. Anyway, I decided to break the coins down into a few major categories which I thought was quite interesting, and these are summarized below. Also, FYI, these coins range in age from 1563 to about 1803.

- Hammered coins (including 7 from the 1500s): 20
- Other whole coins: 46
- Cut pieces: 65
- Cobs: 15
- Counterfeits: 3

(Note: If you're interested in seeing close-up details of the coins you can click on the attached image 2 or 3 times to fully enlarge the 4 MB file.)

It's going to be hard to keep up my recent pace, but I hope the extensive research I'm doing this summer will help me land on some new and very productive sites next season. I've decided to not set any goals for next year or for the long term, but will just let things play out and see where it goes. Besides, it's not all about finding the silver, but about the thrill of the hunt including all the investigative work that's so rewarding when it eventually pays off and leads you to the treasures you seek. I tell ya, October can't come soon enough. HH to all ..... Bill

 

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[Bill D. (VA)]

Thanks for taking the time to make the picture happen Bill. I know how hard it is to take all the pieces from their individual frames, arrange them for the picture, and then return them to the proper frames. Here is the last group shot I took in 2009 when I had 42 pieces. I now have 54 Spanish and 1 William III English six pence, so maybe it's time for another group shot? I found my first Spanish silver in November 1989, so it's taken me 23 years to get 54 here in Pennsylvania. The only thing I seem to find more of than you is the 8 Reales. I have one complete 8 reale, and seven cut 8 reales.

Have you surpassed Stan yet in total colonial silver?

Steve - if you took all your whole coins and cut 'em up you'd have almost as many as me .... haha! Speaking of Stan, I don't think even he has an accurate number of his silver as he's given away a fair number of them. But I'm pretty sure he still has me beat although I've been closing the gap a bit in the last 2-3 years.

 

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[Uncle Jeff]

Absolutely Stunning!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Truly amazing! Now if I could just find my first! Research obviously pays off, I need to take some time to do that. However after working a whole week Id rather go swing! I know sooner or later I'll have to buckle down & do some research once all my spots dry up...Thanks for sharing your treasure!

What folks don't realize, is that they could keep on hunting *ok* spots, or do research and have amazing spots to hunt. The choice is yours. The ones who are most into the history in this hobby, naturally do the most research, because they love that aspect too, and they are the ones who find the most and best finds by and large. Don't wait for your spots to dry up. Hit the books now.

Cheers,

Buck

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Truly remarkable and dare I say probably unmatched by any other digger here in the US. If anyone thinks this comes easy you are greatly mistaken. I can't imagine the hours of research and actual searching that you have invested in these colonial silvers. You are so right about the excitement when your research pays off and you find a spot that you have read about or heard tales of. It is like opening a window to our countries early history. Congrats on your success and I look forward to seeing more of your amazing finds in the future.

All the many hundreds of hours researching and hunting definitely can take its toll, but it's a labor of love for sure. Thanks for the kind words, and I hope I can continue at least some degree of success next season.

 

[joeyfresh]

That photo gives me goose bumps Bill!! Just think of the ship travels, the exploration, the Indian encounters....

If you throw a rock in our neck of the woods Bill you'll find some great stuff but your research and perseverance is why you find the REALLY great stuff.

 

[ReidMan]

Pictures really don't do it justice seeing them in person is impressive.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Bill - That's awesome. I should save the photo to take a quick look before I go out detecting in the future - It's would be like a shot of adrenaline each time. Killer collection of colonial silver.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Fantastic collection Bill, your hard work and dedication really shines through. I would love to find just a fraction of that, you are a true insperation to us all.
I will be hunting a colonial area in NH next week so I am hoping to bring home a Mass. shilling but I wont hold my breath.
Again great collection, thanks for showing it.
Dave

Thanks for the nice comments Dave - I really appreciate them. I'd love the chance to hunt up in New England where I'd have a shot at finding Mass. silver, but doubt I ever make it up that way. So while you're there find one for me too. Good luck and have fun ..... Bill

 

[70monte68]

Awesome display! That is a lot of silver and hope you find more in the near future. What is the almost square coin with the horse and night on it?

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Awesome display! That is a lot of silver and hope you find more in the near future. What is the almost square coin with the horse and night on it?

Monte - that's a heavily clipped Charles I half crown dating between 1625 and 1649. It depicts the king on horseback holding up a sword with a cloak or plume trailing. Unfortunately, the clipping has removed the mint mark which would allow for a more precise dating, but based on the style it appears to possibly date to about 1644. My friend Chuck found a complete half crown at the same site very close to mine. His has the "triangle-in-circle" mint mark which represents the Tower mint and a date of production between 1641 and 1643. I'm attaching a couple pics taken 5 years ago not long after these were found. You can easily see the mint mark on Chuck's coin just to the left of the sword. That one site gave up a total of 27 hammered silver coins between me, Chuck and 2 of my friends who were invited to hunt there. The site also produced a major early trash pit, and I've posted those finds previously. Thanks for your comments, and hope you can land some nice early coins soon.

 

[Trezurehunter]

Unreal !!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

A very impressive collection of finds! Now the question is, how many Copper Colonial Coins did you find during the same time period? I would bet that that collection is very impressive as well! Congrats and thanks for sharing!


Frank

Actually, I find very few coppers down this way. During the same time period I've found about 25-30 Virginia halfpennies and maybe 8-10 KG coppers and that's it other than one toasted NJ. There's been a lot of discussion in the past on this forum and others about why we find lots of silver down here and few coppers, but the opposite up north. Lots of theories on that but we'll leave that for another thread. Thanks for your comments.

 

[johnnyblaze]

Bill that was a nice shot of Colonial Nectar there man


Blaze

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Thanks for the comments and words of wisdom Buck. It seems that at the start of every season things go slowly and I begin to wonder if this is finally the year I'm going to struggle getting into new sites and making nice finds. But it always seems to work out somehow. I guess with mega-research, much patience, and a lot of time (not to mention luck) the odds have to be in my favor. But eventually things are bound to slow down, and I'm not looking forward to that day either. But for now I'm going to enjoy being spoiled. Good luck to you guys with breaking your silver record.

 

[pepperj]

What a great display of old silvers, thanks taking the time in getting it all together and sharing it with everyone.

Makes one heck of nice screen saver when X3.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That photo gives me goose bumps Bill!! Just think of the ship travels, the exploration, the Indian encounters....

If you throw a rock in our neck of the woods Bill you'll find some great stuff but your research and perseverance is why you find the REALLY great stuff.

Thanks Joey. I hope we can hook up on a little more regular basis next season. And get that sifter ready as we're definitely gonna be diggin' some early pits and combing some beaches.

 

[doc-d]

Very nice..........

 

[CREEKGEEK]

Im goin hunting with you lol

 

[MackDigger]

Wow just wow, inspiring.